Demurrer

Jwulsin, I believe the packet was taken offline because someone inadvertently failed to redact sensitive information that should not be posted online. Accordingly, can you please remove your dropbox link? I'm sure the owner of the sensitive information would be most grateful.

You don't have to put me in a box. Yes, I'm very happy to see Joe's Diner, but we're talking about the Gateway Quarter. I'm just asking for a few *new* layman food options in OTR. If you take a ratio of higher-priced food establishments that've popped up in the Q, compared to moderately-priced outlets that compliment the old standbys, there's quite a discrepancy. If only there were an affordable pizza place on Vine Street in the Gateway Quarter almost directly across the street from the Lucky Step space. Oh yeah! There is! Venice on Vine! Its cheap. It doesn't have an "expensive" sounding name! See now everybody is happy! Yay!

FYI. 3CDC's 2010 Annual Progress Report is now available on its website. http://www.3cdc.org/images/editor/2010%20Annual%20Report%20Final%20-%20website.pdf

I believe construction on Mercer is scheduled to start in the spring and finish in the spring of 2012.

If you don't think you are getting food and service commensurate with the price at a given establishment, the proper recourse is to not return to the establishment -- not go online and bash their business model or criticize the establishment and the sustainability of their business. I suspect from the amazing business the Senate has been doing since it opened nearly 6 months ago, a lot of people disagree with your assessment of the relative costs and benefits of eating there. Why don't we move on now...

Would you be mad at me if I said I was 100% behind this idea? I agree with Civvik. If Washington Park overflows with people and dogs as a result of the renovation, I would characterize the project as a wild success. I guess, I don't understand Blue Line's objection. I believe what Blue Line is saying is that Washington Park should not be a destination, but rather a clean and well-policed green oasis for local residents -- local residents who, in and of themselves, lack sufficient density to justify the renovation on their own). But I disagree with the premise that the park cannot serve both as a green oasis for neighborhood residents and a destination for others. I could hit a baseball from my roof and have it land in Washington Park and I think 3CDC's plan is absolutely brilliant. The thought of soon living a block and a half away from the proposed park, complete with breathtaking water features, spacious lawns, state of the art dog park, and outdoor concert facilities, makes me absolutely giddy.

How so? It seems to me they are based on precisely the same jurisdictional nexus. The theory is that one assents to a particular jurisdiction's tax laws when he or she either earns (in the case of income taxes) or spends (sales taxes) money within a particular jurisdiction's border. By transacting business within a jurisdiction, the thinking is, one is taking advantage of the benefits and public services provided by the jurisdiction (e.g., roads, police, business development initiatives, etc.). So unless we want to incentivize non-residents to become free riders, they must pay their share. But I don't see how it necessarily follows that because a non-resident is subject to a particular jurisdiction's taxes, he or she should also have a say on how that jurisdiction uses the funds. So why exactly do you think they are different?

Thanks. I'm a long time lurker, but thought I might as well try to contribute a little as opposed to just mooch off your combined wisdom.

It is lovely cycle: Homeless people drink in the park from dawn to dusk (perhaps longer), receive food and treatment from DIC and area shelters, and then spend the early morning hours every day in the shift bar across the street. It is perfectly convenient! Your average middle-aged able bodied homeless person can consistently maintain his buzz at a constant level for weeks at a time without leaving a three block radius. Brilliant! (I know I am over generalizing and that this characterization is not accurate as to all people receiving services from DIC, etc. So there is no need to lecture, but there is a significant contingent of people who do fall into this category. In case you are wondering, I live one block from the park and often walk my dog through it (despite its chicken bones and Styrofoam food containers scattered everywhere). I know the area pretty well.)

I spend a lot of time traveling, especially in Pennsylvania. During these trips I purchase goods and services and am charged Pennsylvania sales and hotel taxes. Should I have a say in how Pennsylvania spends my money?